[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]South Hadley, Mass.,
Sept. 28, 1907.Dear Sister:-
I don't feel like studying so I am going to write letters. It is after nine o'clock so this will probably be finished to-morrow. I have had a busy day. I went to Math at 9:55 and we were only kept a short space of time. I found out who publishes the book I want and as it was Ginn & Co I sent to Miss Coolidge. Then I came home and studied Latin when I wasn't doing something else until lunch. Eng. was a two and really I almost enjoyed it. A theme of six hundred words which is to be expository (which I don't know
what meansthe meaning of) for next Friday rather spoils the complete enjoyment of it. After Latin at 2:55 I came home and hustled to get dressed for the Y.W.C.A. reception. I had three invitations. One girl had a friend who wanted to take me but before she asked me another one did and then they misunderstood each other as to which was to get someone else so they both did and another girl Lida Small took me. I shook hands with Miss Wooley and met piles of girls, ate some lovely sherbert, listened to some singing, heard Miss Wooley speak and came home. I had a real good time though I did not expect to. Isn't the Gym. large? I shall know more about after Monday for I have my physical examination then. Woe! Two thirty is the fateful hour.Our tables were assigned to-night and I am glad for I hate to be wandering in search of a place and my napkin. We have good food for such a place. The bread is real good and we had some nice milk at lunch to-day. There are two poor Sophomores at my table who lived off campus last year and so they have had no experience in waiting on tables. I am sorry for myself and the other
otherfolks when the Freshmen have to do that.I forgot to say that I wore my old white dress to the reception and my flowered ribbons. It was kind of rainy. Miss Wooley had on a gray silk jumper and looked lovely. I love her already. Hasn't see a wonderful voice? And how sharp she looks at one! I don't [sic] she remembers people.
After dinner I went to class prayer-meeting. That is something I want to go to isn't it? Now Elizabeth and I are writing letters. She is at my desk and I am on the couch.
When I came out here I thought that I should have to go through a season of being Miss Baker but Oh joy! They all call me Mary. It seems so good.
Now I never expected to fall in love with a girl at first sight but I have. Elizabeth is just the dearest girl. She is a big giggler and generally wears the smile that won't come off. I think that she will wear well. She is ever so lively and makes me think of Carrie in many ways. She is not pretty but is bright as a dollar. When either of us is blue we go to the other.
I suppose you wonder if I am homesick. Well I don't think that I am seriously so for I can eat and sleep well. In the mornings I am apt to feel lonely but all the P.M. I am as happy as a clam. College life certainly is nice when one gets acquainted. I have a letter from Dorothy and one from Mrs. Greenwood. I have just got Auntie's letter and the recorder.
Mary Gillespie is another nice girl. She is a Sophomore and rooms right across the corridor. Her room-mate Carolyn Sewall is just full of fun. Everyone says that our class is full of nice girls. It certainly seems as if it was.
II have Latin in 1 Dwight Hall and Miss Galt, the head of Wilder, is my teacher. Everyone says she is nice but slow. English is in 2 Mary Lyon and Miss Evans, a new teacher, is the instructor. (Ahem!) Miss Trueblood has Math in 2 Shattuck and Bothany is in 9 Williston with Dr. Hooker. This may not interest Auntie and Uncle but I fancy it will you. I will enclose my schedule and you can see how horrid it is. one thing is consoling. We are not supposed to spend any time outside of class on our Botany. French is so easy but Latin is hard enough to make up.
Sun. P.M.
Callers, callers, callers and rain! It was a little dreary this A.M. but since 10 A.M. I haven't had time to think. Lida invited me to go to church with her. When I got back Elizabeth and I went down to call on Ruth Seaver, a Freshman who is awfully homesick. When we got back Margaret and her intimate friend, Olive Sleeper, a girl from Swampscott were here so we talked and went down to dinner to-gether. Then some Juniors I think seized some of us after the music in the parlor and took us up to one of their rooms. While I was there Ruth Johnson called. She left a note telling me where she rooms so I shall find her. I am sorry I wasn't here. Then Margaret and I received girls - so many I can hardly remember a name. At four Mary Gillespie; one of the very nice girls at college so everyone says. took me to Y.W.C.A. and when I got back some girls came before I had time to get my things off. Just now I am alone but it probably won't last. The Y.W.C.A. meeting was ever so nice but I didn't join.
At house meetings and such like
Iwe sit on the floor Turk fashion and you know how I love to [do] that. Marion Wilder came up to call to-day. She has been very nice to me and has told me many nice little things to know.I had to have a pillow cut down for my yellow pillow for horrible dictu! it isn't square. Isn't that funny? To-morrow I hope to get the rest of my things up and get settled.
My ear isn't well yet. It is still some sore and some stuff comes out of it but I am not going to worry about [it] and you mustn't.
Please don't miss me too much. That is the worst thought, knowing how lonesome you are. I am all right and happy most of the time. I can't really see why folks have to go away from home but I suppose it must be so. It still seems to me rather selfish in me to run away when you need me so much but "what can't be cured must be endured."
People here are beginning to tell me how pretty my checked waist is. I think I shall have to begin to like it myself.
I'm looking over my letter I find I didn't say any thing about French. That is in 1 Lib. We are supposed to have Miss Bacon but she is sick so the head of the department has us at present. She is fine.
Miss Lyon ('06) led our class prayer meeting after which most of the girls went up to speak to her. She said that she knew you and hoped that she would see you when you came out to see me.
Vespers were just lovely. The choir appeared to-night for the first time - the Senior and Sophomore choir - the Juniors appeared this A.M.
I don't need to carry money to put into the contribution box every time, do I?
I have heard of a good scheme. Put my trunk tray under the couch. Isn't that an idea? I shall have more room than clothes pretty soon.
Well, goodnight and be good. Don't worry about me for I am all right and don't get lonesome.
With lots of love to you all,
MaryI have just found out that Carolyn Sewall is president of the Soph. class.